New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-19


beside him. and wondered what my most KIND Duo
proper mother-in law would say II che met thein'
| NV mothcrin.law always kept me well IN hand,
and does STILL though am getting to be an OLD
woman. There is one thing 1 simply dread her
finding out-but that will appear by-and-by.
| Well no, Thomas don't think we can make
YOU head-nursc said. "But you can come IN the
morning and clean the knives and boots. lou "Ac
quite sure you can do them beaullIul'
| "Yes, quite sure, num- he answered. ioohhie
up with his great dark eyes.
| So Thomas came every day, and was the comfort
of nv life. He was very quiet and atehIi'e.
When he carried in the Goals he always looked
round to if there were letters TO post OF any
thing he could do; he always saw when my piahos
wanted watering or the leaves wanted Washing
| Even cook who was difficult to please said he
| was O downright blessing The only vexlng
| thing was that whenever he had chance ne would
creep up to the nursery and play With the chioreh'
He adored May, and used TO carry her upsla,iS
when she came in from her walk She was de-
lighted to let him do it, putting her arms round his
neck and looking up at him with her clear oiue
eyes IIe was so careful with the children that
in the afternoon nurse sometimes lett him on euaro
while she was downstairs.
| "Ihomasn l said day, what is that SUCK
ing out of your pocket ?" He turned very REQ
and pulled his hair.
| please, mum, it's pipe"
| * pipe Where did you get it
Bought it, num-
v But YOU are not eolng 10 snlohc' iVP0'
tried hard not to laugh, but the ldea vi sihoAio
Was too much for him. A.,
"Please. mum, l bought it to teach Miss May
| how to blow bubbles" he sad with as grand
an air as if no had bought it to teach her Arabic.
Another week. and Jane returned. Thomas got
place at papershop and carried OUT papers eN.,y
morning but on Saturday afternoons he generally
paid cook a visit and went up to see the chldreh
| One day discovered that he had voice Going
past the nursery door, heard May say
"Yes. do sing it again, please, Thomas, and then
Weak little voice began
"a little seed is in tho ground,
little tiny seed;
When it grows up what will 1t be,
flower weed? p
| 1 opencd the door, "Why, Thomas 1 said,
| IL didn't know you could sing .
please mum, mother taught mo- he sald
"sbe SIMS beautiful, and so do little Oracle
| Then that time came in which May fell ILL There
WAS hardly hope Of her recovery. And through
all those sad days none eTeved more IMAM lhomas'
| Every morning, as soon as the cook came down.
she heard tap at the kitchen WINDOW ana .ncrc
stood Thomas at the bottom Of the area steps,
pale and anxious. She used to open the window,
and before she could speak the eagre voice would
say
How is Miss May ?-is she any worse ?-has She
slept Pr And on that terrible night when We
thought she was dying, Thomas sat at the end oil
the kitchen by the side table white and silent,
waiting with burning eyes and breathlcss misery
that almost seemed to suffOcate him. Late that
night Jane went down and reported, The doctor
saws she is little better" Thomas sprang TO his
feet for ono moment, then sat down again, and
resting his face on his arm on Tie taDle sopocu
bitterly at last.
| When May was better, Thomas was taken up TO
see her. lie stopped for moment outside her
door as if TO gather strength. and felt his SIDE
pocket anXiously there was something there that
buged, but l pretended not TO see 1t. lie drew .
long breath as he entered her room.
Are you better, Miss May?' he asked
Yes, thank you, Thomas, dear" she SAID.
you've been very bad, and he shook his head
mournfully.
Poor 1homes - she sighed, just as if she knew
all that he had suffered.
Il don't know what we should have done II you
hadn't got better, Miss May
DO you know any more songs p she asked
He SlooS his head lie had had no heart for songs
Il kept your garden in ORDER he sad The
primroses arc coming UP and there's three snow
drops out
Il am so glad. What's that in your pocket
sticking out?'
Its the MICE he answered smiling for tho
first time "Pve had 'em this fortnight ready
against you better, Miss May and then with
sigh of satisfaction he brought them out.
A little later in the spring brought us the last OF
| Thomas. May was well. The gardener had just
been to see about doing up the garden. l was
sitting in the dining-roOm making up my DOCKS
with The weekly expenses, WohueIiIS hoW ~ ""'
that something extra always swelled them. Ihere
was q knock at the door.
Come in,' l said, and in came Thomas OF
course.
"Plcasc. mum, I've come to say goodbye be
said, pulling his front hair as usual.
"Good-bye why. where are you going =
"Going TO Australia num-
was quite astonishod.
| HAS your uncle sent for you?'
"No mum but there's gentleman who's been
coming on and OFF to our shop good DEAL ana
he's captain of ship. l always wanted 10 go
about bit, and he's offered to take me free for
my work and bring me back or drop me in Mel
bourne which | like / think it's good thing,
num-" he added in his old-fashioncd way. u
don't see that / can come to much good In paper
shop"
| mo Thomas, perhaps not"
| And l wants to get and helm mother, he
said, lifting his face and looking at me proudly
| Perhaps / might come across uncle out al Mel
bourne; and anyhow I'll know more and have
seen more when been there and back. than l do
now The gentleman that's taking me, too, says
the sea will make me strong and set me of grow
ing. 1 shan't be any good II Pm not strong
perhaps you are right"
Its hard work leaving mother he said with q
little gasp "But she's keen my going because
she thinks / might meet uncle, but don't like
leaving her. and don't like leaving the two little
uns." The tears came into his clear eyes, but he
struggled manfully TO keep them back ana then
he added "and l don't like leaving Miss May.
couldn't ha' gone if she hadn't been better
And when do you start?"
Tomorrow, mum; it's very sudden-like, but
they say chances always is / came b. say good
bye May go up TO the young ladies p i took
hiIa up TO the nursery myself. lie looked at the
children with the face Of one who had suddenly
grown older and knew much, and Was going to
Know more. lie explained all about his journey to
them, and why he was going, just as if they had
been old enough TO understand and then he gravely
and sorrowfully shook hands with them all thIee
and with nurse.
81 don't want you to CO." May said. u want
YOU to STAY here. When will you come back p
/ II don't know when, but I'll come Miss May {;
/ nnuor fcar hut LII come hack Your Garden is al